Welcome Rachel!
Healing of nerve function may take quite some time. Often best to think in terms of months rather than days/weeks for this slow healing part of the body.
HOWEVER, caring for an incontinent dog can be learned in about a week's worth of bladder expressing sessions. Nappies are just until you reach expert expresser level by weeks end. Nappies cause their own problems and are a last resort while learning.
Check out this page to see which incontinence tips would be appropriate for Pablo:
dodgerslist.com/incontinence-care-tips/ So did you get a hands on top of you hands type of expressing lesson? Review and if need be go again to your vet for a refresher. We've all likley have needed one more lesson to get things perfected so that Pablo can stay dry session to session.
1) How to express for poop.
2) How to express the bladder for health to prevent bladder infection. ==>
dodgerslist.com/bladder-bowel-care/Have you been/ are you now expressing every 2-3 hours while on prednisone? When off of Pred expressing can easily go to every 3-4, then 4-6 hrs as he stays dry.
Would you fill us in on the rest of the questions we have about Pablo?
QUESTIONS★1 Is there still currently pain? List ONLY the signs you observe There should be no sign of pain from one dose of meds to the next. Have no patience with pain as it does hinder healing. Phone your vet and report any of observations asap to get meds adjusted.
⚙︎ shivering-trembling ⚙︎ yelping when picked up or moved
⚙︎ tight tense tummy ⚙︎ arched back, ears pinned back
⚙︎ restless, can't find a comfortable position
⚙︎ slow or reluctant to move in suite such as shift positions
⚙︎ not their normal perky interested in life selves
➕if a neck disc:
◻︎ head held high/ nose to the ground
◻︎ looks up with just eyes and does not move head and neck easily.
◻︎ not eating due to painful chewing or in too much overall pain
◻︎ holds front or back leg up flamingo style not wanting to bear weight
★2 __How much does your dog weigh? Age?
fill in any other meds he is on
Prednisone 5mgs ?x/day last dose on date ____
gabapentin 200mgs 3x/day
-- Please include the "all important" stomach protector. Use Pepcid AC with any anti-inflammatory med (steroid or NSAID). Follow vets who are proactive. Avoid red flag signs: Not eating, vomit, loose stool, bleeding ulcers, red or black blood in diarrhea.
The usual dose of Pepcid AC (famotidine) for dogs is 0.44mg per pound. ==>
www.1800petmeds.com/Famotidine-prod11171.html--Give 30 mins before the anti-inflammatory.
--Dose thereafter every 12 hours for the duration of the anti-inflammatory.
thumb.ibb.co/mEGRuy/91x_Aj_s00z_L_SY355.jpg **
★3 List
only the red flag signs of stomach damage currently happening:
_Not eating? _vomit? _loose stool? _bleeding ulcers? _red or black blood in diarrhea?
★5 -- Who did the surrgery? a specialist surgeon (ACVIM neurology or ACVS ortho)?
-- What country are you in?
★6 What did the surgeon direct:
-- number of weeks surgeons wants for post-op rest?
-- surgeon directed at-home PT? Any of these in the video otherwise describe what PT you
Post-op PT for the paralyzed IVDD dog:
★8 Describe specifically what you observe currently about neuro functions. Can your dog....
-- wobbly walk?
-- Move the legs at all?
-- knuckles under paws: right or left front or back legs?
-- Wag the tail when you specifically do some happy talk?
